Cucini
price estimate: lunch: 1,500円 dinner: 4,500円
closed: Tuesday, every third Wednesday of the month
A chef who sources his ingredients locally, from his own farm!
Mr. Takuo Iwanishi, from the town of Yosano where the restaurant is located, got his start in Tokyo and decided to return back to his home town. To create his restaurant centered around Italian cuisine, he renovated a former “Mongami” warehouse (used to store jacquard cards used for weaving silk) in Yosano, a town with a 300 year tradition of high-quality Tango chirimen (textured) kimono silk. The Tango area’s vegetables are rich and flavorful thanks in part to the fertile volcanic soil in the region. With just a little salt, vinegar, or oil, the natural flavors can be heightened even more. A lot of promotion went into the opening of the restaurant, but now a majority of the customers are faithful devotees to Mr. Iwanishi’s cuisine. To enhance the cuisine further, he has started his own farm and continues to further his own education of nutrition and cuisine. He also works as a food educator for children. His focus on showcasing local ingredients doesn’t just stop at his farm either, chef Iwanishi sources his ingredients from a variety of local farmers, utilizing Kyotango farmers and fishermen, eggs from nearby Ine [Mino Chicken Farm], Yoka pigs from Toyooka (neighboring Hyogo Prefecture), Tajima chicken (also from neighboring Hyogo Prefecture), etc. The result is cuisine with deep local flavor, ethical thinking, and close to zero food mileage, which is good for the environment as well.
From the chef:
“I was born and raised in this area. After working at a restaurant in Tokyo and returning to my hometown, I was surprised to find that many of the vegetables sold at supermarkets weren’t local, even though this area has such a wealth of great produce. With that in mind, I started a restaurant centered around vegetables. I feel a sense of responsibility to share how wonderful Yosano's vegetables are. It’s really become a passion. Nowadays, the number of local organic farmers, poultry farms, and fishermen in has increased. It feels good to see and talk to the people who are responsible for producing the ingredients I use here.
Dinner
Appetizer made with a variety of local fresh vegetables. Approximately 8 homemade dishes with Japanese delicacies such as karasumi and smoked octopus. Reservation required by the day before. 6,800 yen (tax included)
Seasonal lunch set
The main dish is tilefish with fresh vegetables. Crisp skin balances well with the tenderness of the white meat, and is made even more refreshing with basil sauce from a private farm. Reservation required by the day before. 2,400 yen (tax included
Soup
Soups are served for almost all dinners and lunches. In addition to consommé, there are also potages. There are soups perfect for every season and always full of vegetables.
included with most meals
Access: 10 minute walk from Yosano Station. 4 minutes by car from Sanin Kinki Expressway Yosa Amanohashidate IC
TEL: 0772-42-0912
Reservations: are recommended and should be made at least a day in advance.
Hours: lunch 11: 30 ~ 15: 00 (LO / 14: 00), dinner 18:00 to 22:00 (LO / 20: 45) (reservation required)
Closed: Tuesday, third Wednesday of the month
Payment: cash only
Facility information: Number of seats 18 seats
Parking: lot can hold 15 vehicles